Fence-wire stretcher



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A. H.. GALKINS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALMON H. CALKINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FENCE-WIRE STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,375, ydated July 1,9, 1881.

Application ined December 27, issn. (Model.)

To all 'whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, ALMoN H. UALKINs, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Wire Tighteners, ot' which the following, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure l is a top or plan view of a fence-wire tightener embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a side view of the same; Fig. 3, a detail of one of the clamping-plates, and Fig. 4. a representation of a modification in the arrangement of the clamping-plates.

The object of my invention is to make a cheap and simple tightener for fence-wires, and one which may require little or no skill in applying it to the use for which it is intended, and with which the result to be performed may Vbe accomplished with comparative ease.

To this end my invention consists ot' the combination of one or more clamping-plates, constructed substantially as hereinafter specitied, with either a simple or compound pulley device, and either with or without a post-hook, all of which will be hereinafter set forth.

A represents an ordinary single or simple pulley. c is the pulley-block, and a the pulley or roller. l

B is a post-hook connected to one end of the block a, and C is a link in the other end thereof.

D is a double pulley, or a block, b, having two rollers, b b', therein,and E is a link in one end of the block b. A

F F are clamping-plates or wire gripers, through the inner ends of which the link E passes freely, as shown. These plates consist of hard metal, preferably steel, 'and in one of their lateral edges are sunken the deep notches c c, by preference converging as they enter the plates, and terminating in circular enlargements c c. These notches are sufficiently broad to receive the wire to be tightened, but not large enough to allow it to slip therefrom easily after being bent or kinked by being arranged therein and by then arranging the plates in the direction to be followed by the wire when tightened. This bend or kink, as will be perceived, will be produced by the act of tightening the wire by means of the tightener, but may also be produced by turning the plates in the direction of the main portion of the wire' at the time or just after the plates are applied, the application being made by simply inserting the wire in the notches. The enlarged or inner ends of the notches present shoulders to the wire arrangedV therein, and thus prevent it from slipping out accidentally before a strain is made upon the wire. After a strain is applied the plates will firmly gripe or clutch the wire and cannot slip thereon. In the drawingsI have shown two of Vthese plates, one having its notch arranged in the opposite direction from that of the other, so as to hold the wire still more firmly, but only one plate is absolutely essential 5 neither is it essential that the inner end of the notch should be circular in form, nor even that it should be enlarged.` These clamps, aswill be perceived, constitute very simple means for griping the wire, whether either their construction or operation, or both, be considered.

When using both pulleys together or a compound pulley the arrangement of the cord or rope should be as usual in pulleys of that class,

and as indicated in the drawings, the hook B being made to engage a post of the fence or other fixed part toward which the wire is to be drawn. J

In using the single pulley A alone, one or more clamps, F F, should be arranged on the linkE,one end of the ropefastened to the post, and the other passed through the pulley in the usual manner.

For drawing broken wires together I arrange a link in the outer end of the pulley AV and place in the link one or more clamping-plates, as well as the hook B, as shown in Fig. .4. The remaining steps to be taken in order to tighten the wire will now be apparent, it being understood that the plates should be appliedto the wire far enough from the end or part to be fastened to admit of the act of fastening befor the platesare removed, and that the tightening cord or rope should not become slack until after the wire is secured.

The hook B is not essential except to adapt the pulley A for" use in connection with the pulley D for the purpose set forth, and for that purpose I make this hook long enough to free its pulley from the post, and 1 also make the free or outer end of hook straight and sharp or pointed, so that it will enter the post, and thus be adapted t0 be applied to any wooden post Without encircling it, and so that the hook may be applied with facility at any height and be there held.

I am aware that it has long been very con]- mon t0 use ordinary hooks in connection with pulleys, and I do not therefore here claim that combination broadly; but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with one or more pulleys, ofthe metallic wire-clamp griper or clutch F, consisting of a plate having in one of its specified.

ALMON H. GALKINS. lVitnesses:

EMMA F. CALKINs, GEO. E. Foss. 

